IS BUILDING A GRANNY FLAT WORTHWHILE?
If you have been thinking about building a granny flat, join the thousands of families across NSW thinking about exactly the same thing.
All over the Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney granny flats are becoming highly sought after as the most versatile and cost effective type of home addition.
Quick to build, custom designed to suit your individual needs and a guaranteed investment in your property, building a granny flat could be the most worthwhile decision you make for your family and for your future.
Before you go any further, it's a good idea to know exactly what we're talking about when we refer to granny flats. Essentially, a granny flat is a self-contained, secondary dwelling built on your own land. It can be built above your home, above your garage or more commonly, in the backyard as a separate dwelling and can be one or two storeys. Designs can include 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms.
Here at Elite Additions, we have a variety of pre-designed granny flats. As home addition specialists we will work with you to adapt one of our designs to suit your needs, or to create a customised design for exactly what you have in mind.
Are you still interested in the idea of building a granny flat? Then read on!
DO I NEED APPROVAL TO BUILD A GRANNY FLAT?
This is the all-important question. There is a simple answer and a not so simple one. Basically, you do not need approval to build a granny flat in NSW.
The SEPP (State Environmental Planning Policy, 2009) has clear guidelines for building a granny flat. If your property meets these guidelines, you can apply for a Complying Development Certificate, which should be granted within 10 days. If your property does not meet the stipulated requirements, you will have to submit a DA, (Development Application). However, it is always a good idea to check with your local council to see if they have their own requirements.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING A GRANNY FLAT?
WHICH ONE OF THESE BEST DESCRIBES YOU?
1) You are a homeowner looking to increase your living space as well as your property value.
2) You are a single or couple looking to enter the housing market at an affordable level.
3) You have ageing parents whose living and care needs are changing.
4) You have older children who need their own space to study and work.
5) You are a small business owner needing your own office or studio.
6) You are a homeowner looking to supplement your income through private rental or holiday rental accommodation.
Did you see yourself in that list? We're sure you did.
Now, let's look more closely at each of those possibilities so that you know exactly why building a granny flat is absolutely the right choice for you.
YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER LOOKING TO INCREASE YOUR LIVING SPACE AS WELL AS YOUR PROPERTY VALUE.
The housing market on the Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney has gone crazy. House prices in some areas are increasing by up to $850 per day! (Sydney Morning Herald Property Section, September 2021). Your family is growing and you need more space, but buying a larger property is way out of reach. But you own your own land and you have the space to build. Building a secondary dwelling designed to complement your home has so many pluses for you. Here are just a few:
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BOOST YOUR INCOME THROUGH PRIVATE OR HOLIDAY RENTAL?
Having a steady income source through owning a rental property is a secure and reliable way to supplement your income.
A secondary dwelling has so many positives when it comes to rental income. You can choose to lease it privately to a single or couple or to offer it as holiday accommodation. Either way, there are many advantages for you as the owner. Here are a few:
Feel free to have a squiz of the 'Granny Flat Project - Cheltenham, Sydney' gallery for more photos.
CONTACT ELITE ADDITIONS TODAY
We are an Australian-owned company and have a professional team of licensed builders, draftsman, certifiers, carpenters and contractors with over 25 years of combined experience in the homebuilding game.
In addition to this, we are a HIA & Master Builders Associated member providing you with a solution which suits your budget - with no hidden costs. We handle your granny flat builds from concept to completion, saving you stress from having to build or project manage the build yourself.
If you're in the process of adding value your current house by adding a granny flat, why not contact the team at Elite Additions?
We are a local & trusted home builder in Sydney and would love the opportunity to provide you with a FREE FEASIBILITY REPORT or phone consult on your property.



- There must already be a residential dwelling on the property.
- You can't build a granny flat first and then build a house.
- The land must be zoned as Residential.
- You can't build a granny flat in NSW on a property larger than 5 acres. The building area must be a minimum of 450 square metres.
- The size of the proposed building must be no bigger than 60 square metres. This includes two storey additions.
- There must be 3.0m from existing trees that are more than 6m in height.
- There needs to be at least 1.2m for machinery to access the build site.
- We'll stress again, check your council regulations for any specific local requirements.
- We are an experienced and highly skilled building team. We have worked in the building and home addition industry for many years. All members of our building team are fully qualified and experts in the field.
- We will give you a detailed quote. There will be no hidden extras.
- We have a range of pre-designed granny flats or we can custom design to suit whatever requirements you have.
- You speak with the builder at all stages of the project. We are in this together. Our aim is to make this as successful and as stress free as possible.
- We pride ourselves on attention to detail and on customer satisfaction.
- We know the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle areas well. We know the council regulations and what suits the areas and the residents. Our track record speaks for itself.


- You don't have to endure the stress of having to relocate.
- You don't have to pay a huge Stamp Duty cost.
- You don't have to pay removalist costs.
- You don't have to begin renovating a new property to suit your family.
- Your property value remains at a premium.
- Wider entry and doorways
- Ramps
- Open plan design
- Non slip floors
- Customised kitchen and bathroom for wheelchair access
- Safety handles
- Height appropriate fixtures
- The money you save on renting a workspace becomes an investment in your own property.
- Your property is working for you, not the other way around.

- You are on site to ensure that your property is being well maintained.
- You get to know your tenants.
- You can adjust the rent to suit the holiday season.
- You do not need to pay agent fees for property management.
- There are no expensive strata fees to be deducted from your rental income.
- You can choose when you would like to leave the premises free for family and friends to come and stay.

